SGSB Flag Holders Lead the Way for the Class of 2024!
As Commencement is upon us for 2024, the College of Business Administration and Singelyn Graduate School of Business at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ would like to highlight a few of the outstanding members of this year’s graduating class. These members of our school community have gone above and beyond in impacting the culture, learning opportunities and student collaboration here at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, and we are grateful for their contributions. We salute all of our amazing graduates here at the SGSB, as we know their impact on their school, classmates, and job market has been felt, and will continue to be felt for many years going forward.
Congrats to this year’s graduates! We will follow your lead!
Rona Yeh (MBA ’24)
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In a journey fueled by a blend of ambition, dedication and love for life’s simple joys, Rona Yeh has completed her both her undergraduate and master’s degree in business administration (MBA) requirements at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. Yeh currently works as a senior public relations specialist who thrives in the fast-paced world of fashion marketing, and when she isn’t setting up the latest product launch or brand collaboration, this SGSB graduate is looking forward to spending some time with loved ones on a quiet night in, or taking a relaxing vacation to make new memories. |
Graduate Reflections:
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for my experience at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½/SGSB. Here, I embarked on this journey of self-discovery, in which every lecture, discussion, and group project challenged me to grow, not just as a student, but as a person. Every obstacle I faced became an opportunity for growth, propelling me further along my academic and personal path. I am deeply thankful to SGSB for fostering an environment that encouraged curiosity and played a pivotal role in shaping my journey.”
Celiana Lamas (MBA ’24)
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As a first-generation student, Celiana Lamas walked two paths of academia here at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, completing an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a focus on Management and Human Resources in 2022, before recently completing the master’s degree in business administration (MBA) program. During her undergraduate years at CPP, Lamas served as the President of Sigma Kappa in 2022, and as a member of the Dean's Student Advisory Council for the College of Business in 2024. She is passionate about project management and has set her sights on the construction industry, where she plans to apply her business knowledge and leadership skills to drive successful projects to completion. |
Graduate Reflections:
“My experience at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has been life-changing. If you asked me in Fall 2019 where I saw myself today, I could never have pictured the impact that CPP would have on my life and career. To me, this school is more than just an academic institution — instead, it is the place that ignited my passion for learning, my drive for success, and has shaped me into the person that I am today. It took a lot of strength to leave San Jose and come to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ all by myself, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the reasons why it was so easy to stay. It’s officially time to get up and go. I’ll love you forever, Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. Thanks for all of the memories, and for turning me into the person I’ve always aspired to become.”
Evan J. Schmidt (MSIS ’24)
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Raised by his mother and supported by a loving wife and two amazing sons, Evan J. Schmidt is a first-generation college graduate. He built his first PC at the age of 14, beginning a lifelong infatuation with computers and computer systems. His education journey saw him take community college classes at Irvine Valley College on nights and weekends, before transitioning into to the bachelor’s degree in IT security program at WGU Online. After taking a couple of years off and switching jobs, Schmidt began classes to pursue a master’s degree in information security (MSIS) at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, where he honed his skills under the polytechnic approach of the school, as well as in many cyber club meetings and competitions. |
Graduate Reflections:
“I chose CPP due to the school’s wide breadth of programs, professors with real-world experience and hands-on learning approach. I learned so much not only from the professors, but from engaging with other students in my cohort. We did group projects and hacking competitions that really let us all discover our own strengths and weaknesses, and we all became much stronger as a result.”
Anh Nguyen (MSBA ’24)
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Born in Vietnam, Anh Nguyen spent five years as a flight attendant before moving to the U.S. to pursue a career change. Driven by her passion for math and computers, Nguyen joined the master's in business analytics (MSBA) program at the Singelyn Graduate School of Business. Nguyen struggled initially, but everything started to change when she began participating in MSBA events and connecting with fellow students. With the help of experienced classmates who were always there to offer guidance and support, Nguyen found her footing. By her second semester, she landed her first job in data cleaning. Within a year, she was promoted to analytics developer in the healthcare packaging industry. |
Graduate Reflections:
“Beyond the academics, I've built incredible friendships here. My capstone team and other classmates became my close friends, and we've had some amazing times together—from relaxing beach days, to dinners after class, and even traveling to Mexicali for a birthday. These moments with my cohort are among my most cherished memories. My journey at Cal Poly has been unforgettable, and the experiences I’ve had will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Corey Mize (MSA ’24)
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SGSB MSA graduate student Corey Mize has taken control of his career after initially earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Mize dedicated himself to close to a decade of service working with students with autism, and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Mize to rethink his educational goals when a good friend who’d recently completed the accounting program at CPP suggested that he look into a similar path. It proved to be a life changing propostion, inspiring Mize to go back to school and push himself out of his comfort zone, impacting his life in so many ways. Now that he has completed the Master of Science in Accountancy program at the SGSB, Mize continues his service as a senior consultant at Eide Bailly LLP specializing in Special Districts, and he is currently studying to take the first part of his CPA exam in August. |
Graduate Reflections:
"Being accepted into the program at CPP changed my life. Returning to school for my master's degree has opened up so many doors for me. I now have a new job where I continue to grow every day, and I have been able to create some lifelong friendships in the process. I am especially grateful to my professors who helped and guided me along the way."
Harris Wu (DSCM ’24)
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Taiwanese-born Harris Wu has been passionately engaged in expanding his knowledge and skills within supply chain technologies and analytics, culminating in his 2024 graduate degree in digital supply chain management (MSDSCM) from the Singelyn Graduate School of Business. Wu’s commitment to academic excellence is exemplified by his membership in Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS), the international business honor society for AACSB-accredited schools, and he finished his degree program with a ranking in the top 20% GPA of his class. |
Graduate Reflections:
“Throughout my studies, I have eagerly seized opportunities to bridge theory with practical solutions, and I am ready to leverage the digitalization emphasis of my program for real-world challenges. Being chosen as the flag holder for our commencement is a privilege and an honor, I am thrilled to lead my fellow graduates into the ceremony, marking not only the end of our rigorous academic journey but also the start of our significant contributions to the field of supply chain.”
Raghav Arora (MSBA ’24)
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With a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication from India, Raghav Arora is passionate about using data to promote innovation. In his pursuit of this passion, Arora has completed his master’s degree in business analytics (MSBA) from the Singelyn Graduate School of Business at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. The world of data-driven decision-making and analytics has already taken him to Tesla, where he serves as a data collection operator - autopilot engineer. Beyond academics, Arora is committed to giving back to his alma mater by serving as an instructional student assistant at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, where he contributes to the academic support system. |
Graduate Reflections:
"At Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, I've embraced a culture of experiential learning and innovation, where every challenge becomes an opportunity for growth and transformation."